The Pink Coco Gili T

21/08/2017

This is my second holiday to Gili T.

It’s a great ferry ride over and we are staying at the north western tip at a hotel called The Pink Coco.

Hotels on Gili are more expensive than Bali – mostly because they can charge more (captured audience) and they have to transport all the goods to the island.

I like the Pink Coco. It is pretty laid back, set out like a hotel but only 2 stories high, and lots of privacy from your deck.

We don’t spend a lot of time in our room anyway, Gili is an island for exploring and having little adventures.

The breakfasts are good – choice of local fare, great juices (try the dragon fruit juice) and they will top up your room with water when you request it.

The only caution about this hotel is the chlorine in the long pool. It turned my hair green. Well blue-green as my friends reassured me!

The Aston Canggu

21/08/2017

Canggu is my preferred place to stay in Bali.

The coast is fringed by different villages and slowly, as tourism increases, Kuta has spread. Legion, Seminyak and now Canggu. Fortunately Canggu has stamped itself as a mecca for surfers and cool folk. It’s not as upmarket as Seminyak and not family driven like Legion.

I love it.

I normally stay in the villas: The Duane and Villa Love Echo as they are great value for money, clean, have a pool and morning breakfast. But this time my beloved villas were booked out!

So I am forced to look else where… and I decide to stay at the Aston, Canggu.

The roof top pool lured me in.. and the close proximity to Old Man’s.

Its a wonderful decision.

From my room we can do a surf check on Batu Balong up to Echo Beach.

The breakfast buffet is excellent and it is very easy for me to find healthy food and non-gluten and non-dairy food options.

The rooms are good. I would request one with a view if you stay. The views are great.

The view from the top floor is even better! And be sure to wiggle your way up to the very top… a nice little sitting area where you can down a Moscow Mule or two!

I really loved staying at this hotel. It’s pricer compared to the villas (the villas are $50-60 per night and the Aston is $140-160).

I am going to find it really hard not to stay here again in the future and go back to my villas.

Labak River Hotel Ubud

09/09/2016

Finding the perfect place for a retreat is tricky.

Somewhere secluded but close to town. Somewhere with good clean facilities (especially air conditioning) but not at a crazy price. And somewhere that has enclaves for people to escape to and do some personal reflection and growth but it safe and contained. YES! It’s very tricky and until you hold your retreat, you are still not 100% it is right.

This retreat in Ubud, Bali, I chose the Labak River Hotel.

It’s located on the out skirts of Ubud but not a long way out like many others. You can walk to town in 15 minutes past the monkey forest, or jump on a scooter and be there in five minutes.

The hotel is spacious but has many intimate spots to hold small groups and for people to relax and recline.

All the bedrooms were beautiful and provided the guest with their own veranda and big chair to chill out in. I loved my bed!

A river runs behind the hotel and provides a lovely gurgling back ground sound. The hotel does face another hotel on the other side of the river, yet it is far enough away that no privacy is forfeited.

Beside the hotel is Ubud’s newest yoga facility, Ubud Yoga Centre, which is beautiful and offering great food with views.

The massages on offer are excellent and I had the Balinese Flower Bath 90 minute ritual. Absolutely therapeutic and relaxing. I highly recommend it.

The hotel has a few bar areas and the staff are friendly and helpful.

You can tell they want your stay to be special.

I will be holding my next retreat there in November 2016. Check out the retreat deets here.